How the LA Rams brick house survived another huff and puff from NFL Rumors wolf

Snead was doing his job

Let's pretend that we can in fact go back in time to the conclusion of Week 5. The Rams were no better than 1-4, had lost several winnable games, and were limping into the BYE. Despite fans lobbying hard for personnel changes on the football field, the team had pretty much clung to the same ole schtick. The team's lone victory came from the liberal use of 12 personnel,

Curiously, that was the only game before the Week 6 BYE to see much use of two tight ends whatsoever.

The team stuck with veteran DB Tre'Davious White, despite his putting up the worst performance of his NFL career. The team signed former starting defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon, but he was stuck on the practice squad. The team continued to keep rookie RB Blake Corum on the bench, despite so many promising reports out of training camp.

And this defense was getting destroyed by opposing offenses on the ground. But even when the option to sit starting ILB Christian Rozeboom and Troy Reeder were suggested, Rams HC Sean McVay retorted that undrafted rookie ILB Omar Speights, who wowed in preseason, was not ready to compete in the NFL just yet.

If the coaching staff refused to change things up, how could anyone, even the general manager, expect the team's fortunes to change? And if change is unlikely, how could any crystal ball scrying foresee the Rams suddenly reversing their fortunes and winning two very competitive games within five days?

NFL GMs are not tasked with fixing a successful team. They are tasked with doing what's best for the team when the chips are down, and the Rams were not showing much of a pulse through five games.

Injuries will do that to a team. Not only does it limit the competitiveness of the team, but it also adds uncertainty to the future as to whether that player will return at full strength, or no. When the phone rings in those circumstances, GMs answer. Until a formal offer is made and deciphered, it's all just information gathering.

Still confused? It's like window shopping with no intention to buy anything. Or if you can remember back that far, it's like checking out the help wanted section of the paper with no intention of quitting your job. It's a normal part of your week, and your life.